Glacial Parks & Whales of Peninsula Valdés Argentina (14 Days)

Day 1 - International Arrival Buenos Aires. Overnight Buenos Aires

Arrival to Buenos Aires International Airport. Private transfer to Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires.

Day 2 - Bicycle Tour of Southern Buenos Aires

Meet us in historic San Telmo, where we begin our bike tour of Buenos Aires with a thorough orientation, introducing you to the city, your bike and each other. Pointing our wheels south, we will pedal through the backstreets of one of the oldest barrios in Buenos Aires making our way towards Parque Lezama, the border of La Boca and San Telmo. We will then tour La Boca and in this port town, witness elaborate urban art, an iconic stadium and the birthplace of Tango in colourful Caminito Street. We offer you free time to discover these vibrant four blocks that once greeted millions of immigrants at the turn of the 20th century.

Back on our bikes, we will seek a completely different world in the neighbouring bubble of Puerto Madero. The obvious contrast is feltas you ride through the quiet, yet very modern streets in search of the 60-acre Ecological Reserve (*closed on Mondays). Now that our appetite has kicked in, we stop at an original Parrilla on the southern coast boardwalk to get a filling lunch, at a local favourite barbecue food truck (vegetarian options available). Full and satisfied, all roads lead to the “Heart of the City” in Plaza de Mayo where you will learn about why most Argentine historical events happened right here in this very spot.

Once you’ve grasped the timeline of traumatic, powerful and sometimes uplifting events that happened right where you stand, feel free to wander off on foot to discover more of the square and its intriguing surroundings. Our tour ends back at our meeting point in San Telmo. Lasting approximately 5 hours, we follow many bike trails and stop around 10 times to drink and learn about Yerba Mate, take photos, eat delicious asado and enjoy a fun, creative and interactve tour led by expert bilingual guides. During this tour we teach you how to make and drink “Mate”, the most typical Argentine “Super Food” and we encourage you to try “Fernet” (Argentine drink).

Transfers included from your hotel to the start and finish of the tour in San Telmo.

Day 3 - Flight to Ushuaia - Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa

Private transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires airport. Flight southbound to Ushuaia. Transfer from Ushuaia to Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa. This luxury hotel is located at one of the most coveted places in the world, on a beach- shore beside The Beagle Channel. Beautiful views abound of the snow-covered peaks of the imposing Andes Mountain range and across the beautiful channel. The perfect spot for a mix of relaxation and adventure.

Day 4 - Crab Fishing with Gourmet Lunch: A Day in a Fisherman’s Village

We start driving from town and head off the beaten track on a gravel road through a dense native forest. As we reach the coast, we head east and start walking into the woods to view a beautiful cascading waterfall. Onward again by vehicle to Puerto Almanza, the southernmost fishing port in Argentina. From there, we take another gravel road for fifteen kilometers until we arrive a lovely small fisherman’s village. Here nearly everyone in this village is dedicated to a specialized type of fishing. Species like centollones (crabs), mussels, cholgas and other typical mollusks of this area. A local family receives and invites us to board their boat, and we voyage to a secret spot. We stop, cast the nests and wait to catch a good amount of crab. On the return home, the owners of the house teach us how to prepare a crab in a Patagonian style. We gather the herbs and spices directly from the garden and together we cook one of the richest gourmet dishes in memory.

Day 5 - Gable Island & Penguin Colony with Canoeing

From the hotel, we leave Ushuaia eastbound and arrive at the Lasiphashaj River. The group will be provided with rubber boots, over-pants and lifejackets for the activity in the canoes that will go down the river and into the sea. Once on the Beagle Channel, passengers will navigate and row setting course to the ranch at Harberton. Throughout the journey at sea will see great wildlife: a variety of different seabirds and catch sight of the sea lions.

Once in Harberton, on board a motorboat, leave towards Martillo Island. From the boat, we will have the chance to see penguins in their breeding lair. Navigation on the motorboat continues up to the main attraction of the day: the enormous Gable Island, where we take lunch with a good Patagonian wine. After coffee, go for a hike to know more of this gorgeous island, crossing over beaver dams and through the forest to reach the Beagle Channel shore. From there take the boat to reach Puerto Harberton, and journey back to Ushuaia.

Day 6 - Flight to El Calafate

Private transfer from your hotel to Ushuaia Airport and take a flight to El Calafate. You will be met by our representative here and driven by private vehicle to your hotel EOLO Patagonia’s Spirit. This hotel is conveniently located in a tranquil setting halfway between the city of El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park. The 10,000-acre property is a paradise for horseback riding, mountain bike rides, trekking, bird watching and peace and quiet. From any of the seventeen rooms guests can witness the magnificence of a scenery that exposes its soul to the privileged eyes that contemplate it and to the hearts that wish to feel its true essence.

Day 7 - Explore & Ice Trek Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier is a glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park in the southwest of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. The 250 km2 (97 sq. mi) ice formation is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes Mountains. The excursion begins in the embarkation pier in Bajo de las Sombras port and we travel about 6 km before we reach the glacier viewpoints. Here where navigate across the Rico Arm of the glacier, enjoying breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno glacier’s front wall. You disembark on the opposite shore, where specialized bilingual mountain guides welcome you and lead you to a small shelter. We venture with the guides along the lakeshore towards the edge of the glacier.

Once on the ice, the guides help travelers put on ice crampons and explain how to use them. The two-hour circuit that follows introduces you to the fascinating landscape of the glaciers: streams, small lagoons, gullies, crevasses and plenty of ice formations of the most incredible blues. The trekking is moderate. The ice surface over which you walk is irregular but firm and safe. You will receive explanations about flora, fauna and general glaciology of the region. After the walk, a stroll through the forest brings you back to the shelter. Finally, the program includes 45 minutes free to enjoy the Glacier’s catwalks. A truly memorable day.

Day 8 - EOLO Patagonia’s Spirit – Select Activities

Today we leave the opportunities open which include, horseback riding, 4x 4 Adventures, mountain biking, kayaking, glacier treks, fishing and very many more. You may also decide on a day of leisure in your beautiful natural surroundings. Speak to your expert travel adviser for detail on the options available.

Day 9 - Flight to Trelew. Transfer to Peninsula Valdés Lodge

Private transfer from your hotel to El Calafate Airport. Flight to Trelew and transfer to Estancia Rincón Chico Peninsula Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site & Biosphere Reserve. The property belongs to two descendants of two of the earliest pioneer families of the Península Valdés, the Olazábal and the Endara family. María and Agustín are the fifth generation of settlers that inhabited the Península over 120 years ago. Since 2001 they opened the doors to share with guests the experience of living in this unique place surrounded by nature. For wildlife and science Rincón Chico is one of the most iconic properties of Valdés. Scientific projects have been carried out working together with well-known international organizations like National Geographic, BBC, WCS, the National Research Council of Argentina, etc. with both marine and terrestrial species as well as in archeology and paleontology. A big part of the income generated from the Lodge activities is invested directly in the projects that we are carried out, so with their visit all the guests are supporting the conservation work. The lodge has just eight rooms, and no day tour visits, to guarantee the privacy of guests.

Day 10 - Whale & Marine Watch - Estancia Rincón Chico Peninsula Valdés

Estancia Rincón Chico offer wildlife watching tours guided by biologists and professionals bilingual naturalists to the various beaches of the property, off-the-beaten-path hiking trails of varying length and difficulty across the steppe and cliffs that lead to superb wildlife viewing spots, mountain biking, interpretation of native flora, birdwatching, livestock facilities tours of the property, astronomical interpretation talks and walks in the dunes fields. As guests walk along different trails and beaches of the property, they will have the opportunity to film, take pictures and enjoy the tranquility of nature in a unique private setting.

Upon arrival the guests will meet the guide and with a map of the area he will help them to coordinate all activities depending the number of nights of the stay, the weather conditions, the time of tides and the particular interest of each guest. Species encountered include right whales, elephant seals, sea lions, orcas, dolphins, penguins, and numerous species of birds

Day 11 & 12 - Whale & Marine Watch - Estancia Rincón Chico Peninsula Valdés

Local tours at Estancia Rincón Chico. Species include right whales, elephant seals, sea lions, orcas, dolphins, penguins, and numerous species of birds and fish. See text of Day 10 for details.

Day 13 - Flight to Buenos Aires. Overnight Estancia Villa Maria Buenos Aires

Transfer from Estancia Rincón Chico to Trelew Airport (2h 30 min). Flight to Buenos Aires. Private transfer to Estancia Villa Maria. This exclusive estancia features just eleven elegant suites, a gourmet restaurant, a private lounge, a bar and wine cellar. An array of galleries and terraces connect the interior of the Estancia to 74 outstanding hectares of parks designed in 1917 by renowned landscape designer Benito Carrasco, an apprentice of landscape designer Carlos Thays. The combination of a fantastic grove, the ever-changing colours throughout the year of more than 300 species and the surrounding nature trails make this park a stunning setting and the perfect culmination to a journey across the wilds of our planet.

Day 14 - Transfer to International Airport & Departure

Private transfer to the nearby international airport and departure.

Note: All tours are individually hand- crafted. Whatever your individual preferences your expert adviser will be glad to listen and accommodate.

“We need the tonic of wildness...At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, surveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature” (Henry David Thoreau).